Following the Recipe As Written

Yesterday as I was making eggplant lasagne, I decided to take my time and do it right instead of rushing through the steps.  I sauted the onions and garlic then added the the tomatoes and basil letting the sauce simmer on the stove as I prepared the rest of the ingredients.  I even salted and rinsed the eggplant slices.  Why?  According to various internet sources, it prevents the eggplant form absorbing too much oil and cook better.  I went through the rest of the steps and put the finished result in the oven.   Later we enjoyed one of my best eggplant lasagnes ever.

As I was enjoying the smells of the food cooking yesterday, I was reminded of how I sometimes try to rush steps in life or take short cuts.  I want results not taking my time for God to do his perfect work.  I try to manufacture character instead of waiting for it to develop or I may try to make things happen when it would have been better to watch and pray.  Now when I hurried through the steps on my lasagne, it still turned out okay and tasted good but it wasn’t what it could be.  In life when we hurry through steps, things often work out okay thanks to the grace of God.  But looking back, I see so many things that could have been better had I waited on God’s timing and work.  So hopefully as I get older, I am learning to watch and pray and not be in a hurry for results.   So today I am praying these verses.

“Phil 1: 6 (NIV) Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”


“I Peter 1:5,6 (NIV) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self- control; and to self -control. perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  


“Jude 20,21(NIV) But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.”